Snowboard Carrying Device

ABSTRACT

A snowboard carrying device that acts as handle by which a snowboard user can carry a snowboard. The snowboard carrying device extends between the boot bindings of a snowboard and does not require modification of the snowboard or boot bindings. The carrying device uses tension to maintain a tight configuration and therefore can remain on the snowboard while the user is snowboarding, avoiding the requirements associated with removal and storage of typical carrying devices.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates in one form to a carrying device for a snowboard. Specifically described are methods and devices to be used with a snowboard that permits the snowboarder to easily carry the snowboard.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Snowboards can be difficult to carry and transport because of their size, shape, and weight. This can be particularly true for snowboarders who have physical limitations with respect to the snowboard. For example, a small child or young adult might have difficulty in wrapping their arm around the odd shape of the board or have the ability to balance it during transport; especially over rough and slippery ice, snow, and ground conditions encountered at ski lifts. Snowboards typically do not have any handle and this can make it difficult to carry over long distances.

Devices for carrying snowboards are known in the art. However, there are generally three problems with most of them. First, they might require the attachment of some sort of anchor or connector to the snowboard in order to temporarily attach a carrying strap. But, snowboarders generally do not like the idea of drilling holes or placing connectors on their boards or on their boot bindings since they can have ornamental designs on their surface that can be marred or that can interfere with the use of the snowboard. Second, these carrying devices need to be temporarily attached at the time of carrying the board since they can interfere with snowboarding. Accordingly, after the snowboarder carries the board to the next location, the snowboarder must detach the carrying strap before using the board for snowboarding. The third problem is that by using a temporary carrying device the snowboarder is now faced with having to find a place to stow the carrying device once it's detached from the board. An example of these problems is shown with the carrying devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,126,097 to Fettig. FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6 of Fettig show the problems. Fettig at FIG. 3 shows a carrying strap 150 attached to connectors 152 on the boot bindings. FIG. 4 shows connectors 152 the snowboarder must affix to the two boot bindings.

The three problems with this carrying device are stated by Fettig at Column 4, lines 31-35. Fettig notes that when the snowboarder desires to use the board after carrying it, the user must detach the strap 150 from the connectors 152 and stow the strap as for example in the user's jacket or pants pocket. The snowboarder has no choice but to detach the strap from the board. The strap must be removed from the board. It would be dangerous to attempt to use the snowboard with the strap flapping around in the wind. The potential of the strap snagging onto something while the snowboard is being used could whip the snowboarder around the board and potentially cause serious physical harm to the snowboarder. The requirement of detaching the strap and stowing it safely therefore is a real problem. In addition, the snowboarder is faced with the potential of losing the strap while snowboarding.

These same problems exist with the carrying strap 150 of Fettig shown at FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 shows attaching connector 152 to the boot binding for the strap 150 to clasp onto. FIG. 6 shows hook and loop material patches 200 and 201 for attaching the strap 152 to the board. Fettig again notes at Column 4, lines 64-67, that after attaching and using the strap to carry the board, when the user is preparing to mount and use the board, the snowboarder must detach the strap 152 and find a place stow it.

Another example of these problems is depicted in U.S. Pat. Appl. 2008/0185409 describing a carrying device for a sports board. In this instance a carrying shoulder strap 100 is described that is releaseably attached and detached from the sports board. And once the carrying strap is detached the snowboarder is faced with the problem of stowing the strap safely and conveniently after use.

What is needed is a carrying device for a snowboard that permits the user to 1) easily grasp the carrying device for carrying the board to the next location, 2) eliminate the step of having to attach connectors to the snowboard surface or to the boot bindings, 3) eliminate the step of having to attach the carrying strap each time the user intends to carry the board, 4) eliminate the step of having to detach the strap to in order to use the board, and 5) eliminate the step of having to figure out where to stow the strap when the board is being used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The method and device disclosed in this invention solves all of the problems described above that exist with prior art snowboard carrying structures. In general, the invention is a tension structure that spans between two snowboard boot bindings which are mounted on a snowboard. The tension structure may be tension means, for example, either flexible or rigid material, that spans the space between the two snowboard boot bindings to function as a handle by which the snowboarder can carry the snowboard. The tension structure is mounted between the boot bindings but can be detached if it inadvertently becomes damaged. An important advantage of the tension structure is that it stays with the snowboard during snowboard use and does not need to be removed prior to the snowboarding activity.

One form of a tension structure means is a carrying structure made of a flexible material that can wrap in tension around an open portion of each snowboard boot binding. Options for the tension structure means could include, but not limited to elastic bands, cords, rope, and straps well known in the art. Having the carrying structure operate in tension between the boot bindings allows the carrying structure to act as a “handle” by which a user can carry the snowboard. The operating tension also ensures the carrying structure functions generally along and in close proximity with the top surface of the snowboard. In addition, having the carrying structure operate in tension between the boot bindings permits the structure to remain on the snowboard while the snowboard is being used for snowboarding and has the following additional advantages:

1) the structure does not require connectors to be affixed to the snowboard boot bindings or to the snowboard surface; 2) the structure does not require modifications or additions to the snowboard surface or snowboard boot bindings; 3) it does not need to be removed prior to the snowboarding activity because the structure does not prevent a user from properly attaching their boots to the snowboard boot bindings; 4) the structure avoids the user from having to wrap their hands or fingers around any of the sharp edges of the snowboard; 5) the structure is self-contained and can be reversibly attached or detached without modifying, adding, or removing components from the original snowboard boot bindings.

Since snowboard boot bindings are generally centrally located on a snowboard, the center of gravity of the snowboard is located between the boot bindings. Accordingly, the tension structure located for operation between the boot bindings makes carrying the snowboard easier for a user because the structure is located at or near the snowboard's center of gravity. This minimizes any imbalance of the board that can cause a twisting torque. Reducing the twisting torque makes it easier for the snowboarder to carry the snowboard since less energy is needed to maintain the board at a level orientation during transport.

The tension structure also makes carrying the snowboard more comfortable and safe by allowing the user to avoid wrapping their fingers around the edge of the snowboard.

The tension structure can have an adjustment means whereby the length and the tension can be adjusted to fit different snowboard binding configurations, separation distances between the snowboard bindings, and angular orientations of the bindings with respect to the long axis of the snowboard.

Another tension structure advantage is that it stays within the footprint of the snowboard. The footprint being defined as the circumferential or outer edge of the snowboard, the lateral edge (footprint) of the snowboard. Since this carrying tension structure means stays within the boundaries of the snowboard top surface, no piece of the tension structure will extend beyond the edges of the snowboard footprint during the use of the snowboard for snowboarding.

The tension structure has the additional advantage in that it assists a user when getting off a ski lift. Generally, when leaving a ski lift, a snowboarder typically has only one foot strapped to the snowboard while the other foot that is not strapped into the snowboard is free to move. The free foot can slip off the snowboard. To prevent this from happening the tension structure of this invention will act as a backstop and prevent the free foot from slipping off the back of the snowboard.

Since the tension structure can act as a backstop for the free foot, it makes “skating” on a snowboard easier when trying to glide since it prevents the free foot from slipping off the snowboard. This is common when getting on or getting off a ski lift, or when the snowboarder is transiting across flat ground.

A further object of the invention relates to incorporating a storage compartment on the carrying structure for storing a fold-able shoulder strap for those snowboarders that like using a shoulder strap for carrying a snowboard. The advantage of this compartment is that the fold-able shoulder strap does not need to be removed from the snowboard prior to using the snowboard for snowboarding. The storage compartment in one configuration can be centrally mounted on the carrying structure, which in one form can be a mating lock assembly and can function to structurally enhance and define a more rigid carrying handle to be grasped by the user.

Another object of the invention is a self-contained fold-able shoulder strap that can be reversibly attached or detached from the carrying structure without modifying, adding, or removing any components from the original snowboard boot bindings or from the top surface of the snowboard.

A further object of this invention is describing a method of attaching a tension structure that remains with the snowboard during snowboarding.

Another object of the invention is a snowboard carrying device, wherein the snowboard has a first boot binding having at least one first opening and a second boot binding having at least one second opening, the first and second boot bindings are affixed to the snowboard, the carrying device comprising: a tension structure having a first end and a second end, the first end having first means for operating with the first opening, and the second end having second means for operating with the second opening, whereby the tension structure is placed in tension operating association between the first boot binding and the second boot binding.

A further object of the snowboard carrying device, envisions the tension structure as a strap having a first end and a second end, the first end passing through the first opening, the first end extending from the first opening to the second boot binding and passing through the second opening, the first end and second end having a mating locking assembly for locking and unlocking the strap in tension between the first boot binding and the second boot binding.

Another object of this invention is a method of carrying a snowboard having a first boot binding having at least one first opening and a second boot binding having at least one second opening, the first and second boot bindings affixed to the snowboard, comprising the steps of: providing a tension structure having a first end and a second end; securing the first end in operative association with the first opening; and securing the second end in operative association with the second opening, whereby the tension structure is placed in tension operative association between the first boot binding and the second boot binding.

Another object of this invention is a carrying device for a snowboard having a circumferential edge footprint comprising: a tension structure operatively associated with a first snowboard boot binding and a second snowboard boot binding, the first and second boot bindings mounted on a snowboard, wherein the tension structure operates within the footprint of the snowboard.

A still further object of this invention is a snowboard carrying device, wherein the snowboard has a first boot binding having at least one first opening and a second boot binding having at least one second opening, the first and second boot bindings affixed to the snowboard, the carrying device comprising: a strap having a first end and a second end, the first end passing through the first opening, the first end extending from the first opening to the second boot binding and passing through the second opening, the first end and second end having a mating locking assembly for locking and unlocking the strap in tension between the first boot binding and the second boot binding, whereupon the strap operates in close proximity to the top surface of the snowboard and can act as a backstop to a snowboarders boot.

Another object of the invention is snowboard carrying device, wherein the snowboard has a first boot binding having at least one first opening and a second boot binding having at least one second opening, the first and second boot bindings affixed to the snowboard, the carrying device comprising: a strap having a first end and a second end, the first end passing through the first opening, the first end extending from the first opening to the second boot binding and passing through the second opening, the first end and second end are configured for locking and unlocking the strap in tension between the first boot binding and the second boot binding.

A still further object of the invention is a method of carrying a snowboard having a first boot binding having at least one first opening and a second boot binding having at least one second opening, the first and second boot bindings affixed to the snowboard, comprising: providing a strap having a first portion and a second portion; providing a mating locking assembly on the strap for locking and unlocking the first portion to the second portion of the strap; passing the first portion through the first opening and extending the first portion to the second boot binding; passing the first portion through the second opening; and operatively associating the first portion with the second portion, whereupon the mating locking assembly can lock and unlock the strap in tension between the first boot binding and the second boot binding.

A further object of the invention is a method of carrying a snowboard having a first boot binding having at least one first opening and a second boot binding having at least one second opening, the first and second boot bindings affixed to the snowboard, comprising: providing a strap having a first portion and a second portion and configured for mating locking and unlocking assembly; passing the first portion through the first opening and extending the first portion to the second boot binding; passing the first portion through the second opening; and operatively associating the first portion with the second portion, whereupon the mating locking assembly can lock and unlock the strap in tension between the first boot binding and the second boot binding.

A carrying device for a snowboard, the snowboard having mounted on it a first snowboard boot binding and a second snowboard boot binding, the snowboard having an outer edge footprint, comprising: a tension structure operatively associated with and between the first snowboard boot binding and the second snowboard boot binding, such that the tension structure operates within the footprint of the snowboard.

A method of defining a tension structure located between a first boot binding and a second boot binding on a snowboard, the snowboard having an outer edge footprint, comprising the steps of: providing a tension means operatively associated with and between the first boot binding and the second boot binding, whereupon the tension means is confined within the footprint while the snowboarder is using the snowboard for snowboarding.

A tension structure operating within an outer edge footprint of a snowboard, the snowboard having mounted on it a first snowboard boot binding and a second snowboard boot binding, comprising: a tension structure operatively associated with and between the first snowboard boot binding and the second snowboard boot binding, such that the tension structure operates within the footprint of the snowboard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the embodiments of this invention will be described in detail with reference to the following figures.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a snowboarder carrying a snowboard using the tension structure of this invention;

FIG. 2. is a perspective view of the tension structure mounted between snowboard bindings mounted on a snowboard;

FIG. 3 is a top view of one form of the buckle connecting the tension structure;

FIG. 3A is a side view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the snowboard with the tension structure showing one snowboarder boot fixed to the snowboard and one free boot to move;

FIG. 5. is a top view of the perspective shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6. is a telescoping form of the tension structure mounted between the snowboard bindings according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a detail of the telescoping tension structure shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 7A is a partial cross-section taken along lines A-A of FIG. 7 showing the detail of a tension mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a telescoping tension structure shown being telescoping extended;

FIG. 9 shows the telescoping tension structure mounted between the snowboard bindings operating in close proximity to the snowboard surface and in operation with the boot bindings;

FIG. 10 is a side view of a snowboarder using a fold-able shoulder strap in operation with the tension structure of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a storage compartment mounted on the tension structure with the shoulder strap in its extended state;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the storage compartment showing its operation with the tension structure in a partially collapsed configuration;

FIG. 13 shows the fold-able shoulder strap in essentially its collapsed condition in the storage compartment;

FIG. 14 shows the fold-able shoulder strap being covered for storage in the stowage compartment;

FIG. 15 shows the fold-able shoulder strap stored in the stowage compartment;

FIG. 16 shows the use of a second storage compartment that is capable of being used with the tension structure of the present invention;

FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of the use of a strap extension; and

FIG. 17A is a side view of FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Although certain embodiments of the present invention will be shown and described in detail, various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the number of constituting components, the materials mentioned, the shapes shown, or the relative arrangements, all of which are disclosed simply as example of an embodiment. Also, the term “strap” is used broadly to cover materials suitable for carrying tensile loads including, elongated strips, tethers, lines, rope, elastic cords and lanyards.

The details of the invention and various embodiments and features are shown in FIGS. 1 through 16. FIG. 1 is a side view that shows a typical configuration of a carrying structure of the present invention generally depicted at 10. A snowboarder 12 is shown carrying snowboard 14. The snowboarder is grasping through snowboarder hand 16 a tension structure generally depicted at 18. FIG. 2 details the tension structure in operative association with snowboard boot bindings 20 and 22. The tension structure comprises a carrying strap 24 and a mating locking assembly 26. Mating locking assembly is depicted as a commercially available two-piece buckle 26 well known in the art (depicted in FIGS. 3 and 3A connected to strap section 24) having a male piece 26 a and a female piece 26 b. Such a two-piece buckle is described in US Pat. Application 2008/0185409 (hereinafter the '5409 application) and showing structure for adjusting the strap length. However, other mating locking assemblies, that lock and unlock are well known in the art and include, but are not limited to, center release buckles, threaded buckles, cam buckles, snap buckles, carabiners and spring clips. The mating locking assembly is generally located on the strap at a first end 28 and a second end 30. These buckles generally have an adjustment means, generally a provision (as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 of the '5409 application, for looping the strap through each buckle piece such that the strap can be adjusted in length and tension. However, other length adjustment means are envisioned such as triglides and telescoping pieces well known in the art.

FIG. 2 best shows the operative association of the tension structure 18 with the two boot bindings 20 and 22. Boot binding 20 can have a number of openings. For example, openings 32, 34, and 36. This is also similar for boot binding 22 which has as one opening 38. The tension structure is placed in operation with the two boot bindings by unlocking the mating locking assembly 26. The snowboarder then makes a choice as to which openings he will use. In this example openings 36 and 38 are chosen. The user then takes the first end 28 and places it in operative association with the first opening by looping it through opening 36. The user then takes the second end 30 and places it in operative association with the second opening 38 by looping it through the second opening. The first end 28 is then brought around and associated with the second end 30 and mating releaseably locked to the second end by buckle 26. The tension structure can then be tightened to a desired tension for carrying through well-known adjustment structure as previously described in the '5409 application. In this manner, the tension structure is placed in operative association in close proximity with the top surface of the snowboard between the two boot bindings, and confined generally within the footprint of the snowboard. The advantage of the tension structure is that it stays confined within the lateral edge (footprint) of the snowboard assembly so that no piece of it can drag on the ground during its use for snowboarding.

In this example, the snowboarder can now easily grasp the tension structure strap 24 and buckle 26 combination for carrying the snowboard to the next location in a balanced condition. Once mounted between the two boot bindings the carrying strap is left in operation between the boot bindings when the snowboard is in use since it does not interfere with the user's boots or safe operation of the snowboard, and at the same time provides advantages as described in FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the advantages of the carrying structure of this invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the snowboarder's boots as typically arranged on the snowboard when the snowboarder is on a ski lift. Depicted is snowboarder boot 40 locked in boot binding 20 by boot binding straps well-known in the art but not shown, and snowboarder boot 42 located on the snowboard but free to move on the top surface between the boot bindings. FIG. 5 shows that the carrying structure can also function as a backstop for free boot 42. This is a real safety feature since it stabilizes the free boot while on the ski lift and limits any slipping of boot 42 in the backward direction on the snowboard surface. In addition, it provides control of the movement of the free boot at the time the snowboarder is exiting the ski lift chair, and adds to snowboarder balancing at the time the snowboarder is skating away from the lift.

FIGS. 6, 7, 7A, 8, and 9 show another variation possible for the tension structure. A telescoping tension structure is generally depicted at 44, and comprises a first section 46 telescoping connected with a second section 48. The first section 46 has a first end connector assembly 46 a and the second section 48 has a second end connector assembly 48 a. The telescoping structure can operate in either an extension mode or compression mode. For illustrative purposes the inventor has chosen to show the extension mode as best seen in the cross-section in FIG. 7, as shown in FIG. 7A. Inside section 46 is a tension spring 50 connected internally to section 46 at 47. The spring 50 extends through and into section 48 and is connected internally to section 48 at 49. In operation when section 48 is pulled away from 46 (depicted as pulling force arrows 53 and 55 in FIG. 8) the spring 50 will be placed in tension. Telescoping tension structure 44 is placed in operative association with the first and second boot bindings as depicted in FIGS. 6 and 9. The snowboarder operatively associates first end 46 a to the first boot opening 36 and stretches the second end 48 a telescopically to operate with the second boot opening 38. As can be seen the telescoping structure is in close proximity to the top surface 51 of the snowboard (see FIG. 6), stays confined within the footprint of the snowboard, and defines a rigged handle structure for grasping by the snowboarder for carrying the board.

FIG. 10 shows the snowboarder 12 carrying snowboard 14 through the use of a fold-able shoulder strap 52 that is part of tension structure 54. Tension structure 54 as shown in FIG. 11 comprises a fold-able strap 52, strap pads 56, and strap 24. The tension structure 54 operates with and between first boot binding 20 and second boot binding 22. The tension structure 54, also shown in FIGS. 12, 13, 14, and 15, operates in similar fashion with the first and second boot bindings as tension structure 18 described in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5. In this instance however, the fold-able shoulder strap 52 is connected to D-rings D1 and D2 shown in FIGS. 12, 13, and 14 near the buckles 26 on the first and second ends of the strap 24. The two buckles 26 are interconnected with a rigid strap portion 59. Pads 56 mounted on the shoulder strap 52 have a length and width less than that of a storage compartment 58 having a cover 60. These pads help guide the user to fold the strap 52 in a compact fold-able arrangement for storage in compartment 58 as shown in FIG. 15. The storage compartment 58 in FIG. 12 is comprised of a wraparound cover 60 which is secured at one end to the strap 24 at 62. The cover can comprise a fabric wrap or rigid pieces that can close around the compartment. After the fold-able shoulder strap 52 is compressed into the compartment 58, the free end cover 60 is brought over and wrapped around the fold-able strap (see FIGS. 13 and 14) and connected to end 62 which has a constraining device such as Velcro, hooks, carabiners, that can attach to, or otherwise constrain the cover 60 to the other end at 62. FIG. 15 shows the final storage arrangement on the tension structure 18. The purpose of the fold-able strap for storage on the tension structure is that it can be confined within the lateral edge area (footprint) of the snowboard so that no piece of it can drag on the ground which could trip the user while snowboarding or otherwise prevent the user from snowboarding safely.

FIG. 16 shows the incorporation of a second storage compartment 64 that can be releaseably attached on the inside of the strap 24. In this manner, it does not impede the proper use of the snowboard tension structure and does not impede the user from snowboarding in the normal fashion.

FIGS. 17 and 17A show the use of a strap extension 66 that can be connected between the ends of strap 24. If the snowboarder desires a more rigid functioning of the strap handle, strap extension 66 can be used to provide a firm construction. Extension 66 will have mating buckles 68 a and 68 b to mate with the buckle ends of the strap 24.

While the present invention had been described with reference to particular embodiments and the accompanying drawings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to these embodiments, that the embodiments are intended to be illustrative and not limiting, and that various modifications and the like could be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the following claims. 

1. A snowboard carrying device, the snowboard having a circumferential footprint, wherein the snowboard has a first boot binding and a second boot binding, the first and second boot bindings affixed to a top surface of the snowboard, the carrying device comprising: a tension structure located in close proximity to the top surface of the snowboard and confined within the circumferential footprint, the tension structure having a first end and a second end, the first end passing through a first boot opening in the first boot binding, located in close proximity to the top surface of the snowboard, and extending through a second boot opening in the second boot binding, located in close proximity to the top surface of the snowboard, the first and second ends are configured for locking and unlocking the tension structure under tension between the first boot binding and the second boot binding.
 2. A snowboard carrying device according to claim 1, further comprising, an adjustment means, whereby the length and the tension can be adjusted to fit different snowboard boot binding configurations.
 3. A snowboard carrying device, according to claim 1 wherein the tension structure is a strap.
 4. A carrying device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising, a storage compartment mounted on the mating locking assembly.
 5. A carrying device as claimed in claim 4 further comprising, a fold-able shoulder strap connected to the mating locking assembly, whereby the shoulder strap can be folded for storage within the storage compartment, while a snowboarder is using the snowboard for snowboarding.
 6. A carrying device as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a second storage compartment mounted on the strap at a location desired by the snowboarder.
 7. A snowboard carrying device, a snowboard having a top surface and a circumferential footprint, wherein a snowboard has affixed to the top surface, a first boot binding having a first boot opening in close proximity to the top surface of the snowboard and a second boot binding having a second boot opening in close proximity to the top surface of the snowboard, the carrying device comprising: a strap having a first end and a second end, the first end passing through the first boot opening, the first end extending from the first boot opening to the second boot binding and passing through the second boot opening, the first end and second end are configured for locking and unlocking the strap in close proximity to the top surface of the snowboard and confined within the circumferential footprint between the first boot binding and the second boot binding, whereupon the strap operates in close proximity to the top surface of the snowboard functioning as a backstop to a snowboarder boot.
 8. A method of carrying a snowboard having a circumferential footprint and a top surface, a first boot binding having a first boot opening and a second boot binding having a second boot opening, the first and second boot bindings affixed to the top surface of the snowboard, comprising: providing a strap having a first portion and a second portion; providing a mating locking assembly on the strap for locking and unlocking the first portion to the second portion of the strap; passing the first portion through the first boot opening and extending the first portion to the second boot binding; passing the first portion through the second boot opening; and operatively associating the first portion with the second portion, whereupon the mating locking assembly can lock and unlock the strap in tension within the circumferential footprint of the snowboard between the first boot binding and the second boot binding.
 9. A method of carrying a snowboard having a top surface, a first boot binding having a first opening in close proximity to the top surface and a second boot binding having a second opening in close proximity to the top surface, the first and second boot bindings affixed to the top surface of the snowboard, comprising: providing a strap having a first portion and a second portion and configured with a mating locking and unlocking assembly; passing the first portion through the first opening and extending the first portion to the second boot binding; passing the first portion through the second opening; and operatively associating the first portion with the second portion, whereupon the mating locking assembly can lock and unlock the strap in tension between the first boot binding and the second boot binding in close proximity to the top surface of the snowboard.
 10. A carrying device for a snowboard having a top surface and a circumferential edge footprint comprising: a tension structure passing through a first boot opening in a first snowboard boot binding and a second boot opening in a second snowboard boot binding, the first and second boot bindings mounted on the top surface of the snowboard, the tension structure is mounted under tension through the first and second boot openings by reversibly connecting a first and a second end of the tension structure between the first and second boot bindings in close proximity to the top surface of the snowboard and confined within the footprint of the snowboard
 11. A carrying device for a snowboard having a top surface, the top surface having mounted on it a first snowboard boot binding and a second snowboard boot binding, the snowboard having an outer edge footprint, comprising: a tension structure operatively associated with and between the first snowboard boot binding and the second snowboard boot binding, such that the tension structure operates in close proximity to the top surface of the snowboard within the footprint of the snowboard while the snowboard is in use.
 12. A method of defining a tension structure located between a first boot opening in a first boot binding and a second boot opening in a second boot binding on a snowboard, the snowboard having top surface and an outer edge footprint, comprising the steps of: providing a tension means operatively associated with and between the first boot opening and the second boot opening, whereupon the tension means is in close proximity to the top surface of the snowboard and confined within the footprint while the snowboarder has at least one boot bound within one of the boot openings.
 13. A tension structure operating in close proximity to a top surface of a snowboard within an outer edge footprint of the snowboard, the snowboard having mounted on the top surface a first snowboard boot binding and a second snowboard boot binding, comprising: a tension structure located between the first snowboard boot binding and the second snowboard boot binding wherein the tension structure is confined in close proximity to the top surface of the snowboard within the footprint of the snowboard.
 14. A carrying device for a snowboard having a first snowboard boot binding and a second snowboard boot binding, the snowboard having a top surface and a circumferential footprint, comprising: a tension structure means located in close proximity to the top surface of the snowboard between the first snowboard boot binding and the second snowboard boot binding confined within the footprint of the snowboard. 